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Les diagrammes suivants iliustrent la mAthode. irrata to 1 a 9 1 pelure. n A 2 tiy 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 32X - • 4V li v^ t^^. •'4^ EXTRACTS OF LETTERS •"> FROM POOR PERSONS WHO EMIGRATED LAST YEAR '■m- 90 I CANADA AND THE UNITED STATES. PRINTED FOR THE INFORMATION OF TUB LABC^TRINO POOR, AND THEIR FRIENDS IN THIS COONTRT, ' '4 By G. POULBTT SCROPE, Esci. F.R.S., F.O.S., &c. •eeond Bdition, with Additloiuh LONDON: JAMES RIDGWAY, PICCADILLY. ^^ M.DCCC.XXXIl. *t>* PH«e Sixpence each, or Five SkiUings per Dozen. ' ''M .•-¥ ^ '"'in ,^-. rffirr- '•^^^^^s^^-- t «ii.. »i»ri ri >. m .i • „i_ I' iiWWifcliBifiria '\f^=^--M:' TILLINO, PRINTlIf, CIlRUKA. EDITOR'S PREFACE. TO THE SECOND EDITION. In printing a Second Edition of these Letters^ I take the opportunity of saying a few words on the general question of Emigration. There are some persons^ 1 believe, who still treat its advocates as visionary schemers. To such I would respectfully suggest the following simple consi- derations. T The population of these kingdoms is noto- riously excessive as compared with the demand for labour. The consequence is, that many an able-bodied man, anxious to support himself and his family by his industry ^ is unable to obtain employment, and reduced to pauperism here, to mendicancy in Ireland; becoming a burden to liis countiy instead of a valuable instrument of production. Large numbers of these persons are every winter on the verge of starvation, pro- A 2 i ^ ^^^^^ i^Ywm^^ IV trading a life of misery on an average allowance from their parishes of 2J«?. per day to each in- dividual in a family. Now, so long' as there exist, within a few days' sail, parts of the British Dominions where the labour of these persons is in such demand that they could obtain by it for themselves and th^ir families an abundance, not only of necessaries, but of comforts even, and luxuries — and to which they may be conveyed for less than the cost of keeping them in idleness and misery during one twelvemonth in this country — it does appear evident that their removal to such a comparative paradise at so small a cost, should they be willing to go, (and how many of them would refuse ?) is the simplest and most eligible means for im- proving their condition. It is clear, too, that their removal in this manner would equally re- lieve their fellow -labourers who remain at home, and whom their competition in the labour-market now depresses to one common level of pauperism — would free the country from the burden of supporting a lar^e body of unprofitable, and often criminal and turbulent, because unem- ployed and miserable, i^aupers — in short, would put an end to all the evils that are confessedly occasioned by the redundancy of our labouring ?!S3^S&Kn Hi ' ! ' H 'li " niinT-.i i j i population, and replace them by the benefits which must accrue to Britain from a rapidly in- creasing- and prosperous colonial population, employed in growing food for us on the rich soils of America, and exchanging it with our home manufacturers for the produce of their labour. J Whetlier the existing redundancy may or may not be likewise more or less removed by legislative or financial improvements, such as would diminish the burdens and stimulate the exertions of the pro- ductive industry of this country, is what I do not here attempt to determine. I propose Emi- gration as a sure and easy relief to redundancy, whenever and wheresoever it is found to exist, as it confessedly does at present in Britain and Ireland ; should circumstances alter, and the re- dundancy disappear, the process of Emigration may l)e laid aside until it is again required. But so long as the real wages of labour, i vat is, the quantity and quality of food and clothing which a labourer can obtain for his services, continue (as they are at present) in one part of the British dominions from ten to twenty times as much as they are in another — so long, indeed, as the difference is at all considerable — so long will tlit' most obvious mode of improving the m rm. •m^ -^j- VI condition of the labourer in the latter part, be to assist him to remove to the former. The comparative rate of wages is, indeed, the true test of the advantages of Emigration, and of the expediency of giving that direction to our efforts for the relief of the poor. i Let us remember that Emigration is nothing more than the simple spreading of population, as fast as it increases inconveniently in any li- mited district ; that it is the natural process by which the world has been hitherto peopled, so far as it has yet been peopled — ^which is to no great extent, as compared with its almost bound- less resources for the support of man ; — that it is the only way of fulfilling the Divine command, " Increase and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue the uttermost parts of it;'* and that if former generations had felt the same foolish prejudices against Emigration which many persons have lately evinced, all America would have remained abandoned to savages — instead of containing the thirty millions of civilized whites, who are now settled, and rapidly increasing upon it ; — nay, that had our early forefathers, when they felt their ,numljers increasing beyond their means of subsistence, directed their efforts, according to the advice of the Malthusian phi- VII I losophers, to check the increase of their numbers,;^ what is called " prudential restraint," or any other means, instead of spreading over distant soils in search of an increase of food, the whole human race might, perhaps, at this moment, have been limited to a single patriarchal family, occu- pying a single island or valley, — while the re- gions* now swarming with happy and industrious beings — beings born for immortality, and every day improving in knowledge and civilization — would be a wilderness of jungle and morass, tenanted only by reptiles and brutes ! phi- I s These plain considerations lead me at least to the conclusion, (a conclusion in accordance with all our conceptions of the wisdom and benevo- lence of the Creator,) that if want afflict the inhabitants of any of the older states, if their numbers at any time press injuriously on their means of providing subsistence, it is owing, not to any inherent law of Nature, (such as the antipo- pulationists have for years past paraded as a bug- bear before a too credulous public,) but only to the misdirection of their means; and, above all, to their neglecting to avail themselves of the re- source of Emigration to the fertile and yet un- cultivated wastes of the globe, whence their labour, aided by the knowledge of the arts of VIII civilized life wliicli they bring with them, would extract abundance ; — that nothing' is easier than to cause subsistence to increase faster than can population ; that there exists no necessity for placing any restraint on the natural and provi- dential tendency of mankind to increase; but that, on the contrary, by a wise, and timely, and prudential direction of their efforts, indivi- dual and collective, the happiness of the human race may be made to increase with, and in pro- portion to, its numbers. " Spatiuni Natura bcatis Omnibus esse dedit, si quis cognoverit uti." G. P. S. Castle Combe, Jamtary 1, 1832. IxNTRODUCTION. !'i In the beginning of last year (1830) a strong desire to emigrate to America, shewed itself among the labouring population of the parish of Corsley, near Warminster, in Wilts. They, like their fel- low labourers throughout the south of England, had been long suffering from want of work and low wages. It happened that a certain Joseph Silcox, the brother of a respectable farmer of that parish, had lately returned from Canada, after a rcsidence there of two or three years ; and being a dissenting preacher, he had frequent opportu- nities of holding forth to his neighbours on the vast difference between the condition of industri- ous labourers in this country and in America, and on the advantages they would derive from emi- grating there. He declared his own intention of returning immediately ; and a considerable num- ber of his neighbours became desirous of following his example. B m raiits iiniuediately upon their landing-, are as favourable as could have l)een lutped for.* The expence of the voya«»;e and oi.tfit of these persons, including '10s. or 30s. given them upon landing, to find their way farther up into the country, where work is most plentiful, amounted, on an averaiiie, to about Six Pounds a head. The vo\age to iSew York, ai:d other parts of the United States, may be elleeted ^03nething under that cost ; but common labourers are more in demand in Canada than in the I nited States. iVJechanics of all sorts, manufacturers, and gardeners, however, may go out to either country, with a certainty of emj)lovment, at high wages. Unless the emi- grants have some little money at their command, it is not advisable for them to go out in the au- tumn. Hut by starting early in the spring, they will Hud the demand for lal)ourei*s every where very brisk innnedialely on their arrival. The pas.sagc is usually from three to six or * By accoiiiits rt'ccivt'd liy (■overniiH'iit, it appears, that thou|;h upwards of titty tlioiisand niii^raiits landed during (lie last suiiuner at (^uclioc, and Montreal alone, tliey have all been taken into employment up tlie country, without even occusionin;: any tail in the hiuh price of labour, uhicli is still as much in deman'' :« W 5 (>iglit weeks. It is l)est for emigr.ints to take but little bnggage with thein beyond their wearing a|>parel, betiding, and utensils for cooking on the passaye. They should also lay in their own pro- visions. If they contract for their food with the captain of the vessel tliey embark in, it is not likely to 1x5 of so <^ood a quality. The kind of stock recommended by those who have made the passage, is flour, potatoes, bacon, and, perhaps, a little salt beef, rice or oatmeal, tea, sugar, coffee, apj>les, or other fruit ; some or all of these things, according to the taste of the partie-*. The flour can be baked into fresh cakes when wanted, which are much more agreeable and wholesome than sea biscuits. Menhants at Bristol, or any other of the prin- cipal shipping ports, will contract to carry out emigrants, with jKU'ties in this country who may be willing to pay for their passage. But there is every reason to believe that the Government Com- mission, lah.'ly appointed lor the i)urpose of assist- ing voluntary enugration, will be able to ofler more advantaiicous and satisfactory terms than any private indi\iduals. Those who wish to make arrangements with, or obtain infurmation from this Connnission, shouhl adn.' fhe follow ing r marks upon I pp< r Canada, the Colony (o which most of the Corsley emigrants 6 proceeded, and which on the whole offers the greatest advantages, are collected from the best and most recent authorities on the subject. Upper Canada is a British Province in North America, within a few weeks' sail of this country, and subject to the same government and laws. The climate is good, and nearly the same as in England ; the summer is warmer, and the winter, perhaps, a little colder. All the fruits, grain, and vegetables of England thrive well, with the addi- tion of some, as Indian wheat, which cannot be grown with the certainty of ripening in this coun- try. Peachy and apricots ripen on standard trees in the orchards, and the apples are remarkably fine; melons likewise grow luxuriantly in the open air. Samples of the wheat of Canada are not inferior to the best English. The country is well adapteil for farming pur- poses, the land being generally level, covered with large timber of a variety of very useful qualities, and watered by fine streams and several navigable lakes. The soil is light and easily worked, yet so rich, being a deep black mould composed of decayed vegetables, as to bear plentiful crops for many years in succession without manure. Freehold land of the best quality, and in favour- able positions is to be purchased in any quantities, large or small, at from 6s. to 20s. per acre ; one tifth of the money only being paid down, and the remainder in small annual instalments which a ''$ s f settler is well able to clear out of his crops within four or five years, besides maintaining himself and family, and increasing his stock. The population of the province consists almost wholly of persons from Great Britain who have gone there to settle. The English language is universally spoken. Society is on the best footing. The utmost kindness, hospitality, and good fellow- ship, exists among neighbours, as might indeed be expected in a country overflowing with an abun- dance of the substantial blessings of life, and where there is room for every one to follow his own business without jostling or interfering with his neighbours. The taxes are very trifling, and there are no tythes or rates. There are churches and meeting-houses for all persuasions in every town, and in most villages; and service is regu- larly performed in them. The wages of labourers are very high, and they are usually boarded by their masters, taking their meals at the same ta- ble with them, and eating and drinking the best of every thing. Tlie earnings of mechanics of all descriptions are still higher in proportion, as may be seen from the table in the last page of this publication, which rontiins also a statement of the market prices of most articles of consumption. These are as remarkal)ly low. It appears, indeed, extraordinary, and, at first, almost incredible, to those who are accustomed to judge of other countries by their experience in u 4 orn, about 18 acres. I have eight acres of Indian corn and three of wheat, which looks well. My j)ros|>ect is very good. The boys choppet' off 9 acres last winter, which we are now just going to clear off We shall sow this fall as much as 19 acres of wheat, if we have our health during the summer to clear off the land and get our fallow in order. 1 have purch.ised 50 acres of land for the sum of £43. 15«., with 14 acres of improvement on it, where 1 have sowed m\ peas and oats, and v>here I shall mow hay enough to winter my cat- tle. My stock consists at present of one yoke of oxen, two Cows, one \earling heifer, one mare and colt, four spring calves, two breeding sows, 11 pigs, 32 get»se, and a ft w sheep, &c. The hoys are all exhemclv well satisfied with the country, do get on well with their work (with looking after.) They s;iy, if Lord Bath was to give us C'orsley liirni rent free, they would rather siay here on our c»wn liuid than live in England. .K>hn he says he would not n*gard the journey back provided his father and nto(h(>r would retiuii wiili him. iMy wile dtsires me to persuade any or all of lur friends 17 liealth [. We >s, and Indian I. My ' off 9 >ing to as 19 ng the How in for the enient ,s, and ly cat- oke of mare sows, e hoys untrv, after.) farm ir own Iwonid father wif(^ icMuls to <'on]e, being coiitidcnt in her o\ui mind they would he satisfied here, as she likes the country better than she do England, providing her friends were here. For my part I am of the same opinion, aitho' I do not persuade any one to leave England because 1 have left it. But a well-stocked farm of 200 acres rent free in England would be no temptation to me to leave America. If any of my relations or friends think proper to come, I will make them as comfortable as possible, and if they '5 eomo out next springs I sliall, if Providence bless me with an increase, have phnty for 5 or 6 fami- lies. The best wav is to ship at Bristol for New ^ ork, and there take a passage in the Channel boats for Buflalow, and then cross the lake to Kettle Creek, which is in the Township wo live in. 5. F7om Thom4S Lister, (jveaver.of Westhiiry) Philadelphia, United States, April 26, 1830. *' I hope brother William and family will come all together, for the} can get spinning here. I have just begun to work in a bnuwl loom, and I lliink I shall get on with it. There is hundreds of factories here, both cotton and woollen, and some wtavers wanted in the same sho|) with me. It is a very pleasant c Mintr\ as ever I sjiw. Clear days for wieks together, not a cloud to be seen. I hope brother .lames and wife will come, if he in married, lor a shoemaker can do very well hero. Ml at is verj cheap, about two-pence half-penny c 'il >; ,t| 18 |>er pound, and flour. A pint of gin for three- pence, and there is no complaining in our streets." 6. AxFORD, mechanic. " Got work in a Coachmaker's sliop, at Quebec, for 2 dollars a day, (11a.) I know it is a nice place for Blacksmiths and Shoemakers. VVc get all sorts of liquors at 6d. per quart." 7. From John Down, {weaver, of Frome) New York, United States, Au^. 12, 1830. " My dear wife, " 1 have got a situation in a Factory, in a very pleasant vale about 7 miles from Hudson, and I am to have the whole management of the factory, and the master is going to board me till you come in his house." " A Farmer took me one day in his waggon into the country, from Hudson, to see a factory, and I dined with him, and he would not fiave a farthing, and told me 1 was welcome to come to his house at any time ; they had on the table puddings, pyes, and fruit of all kind that was in season, and preserves, pickles, vegetables, meat, and every thing that a person could wish, and the servatits set down at the same table with their masters. They do not think of locking the doors in the country, and you can gather peaches, apples, and all kinds of fruit by the side of the roads. And I can have a barrel of cider holding 32 gallons, for 4s., anan*el of icy will t. And i 19 I can have lOOlbs. of Beef for \0s. English money. Lamb is about five farthings the pound, and the butcher brings it to your door. And as for the bullocks' heads, sheep and lambs', they are thrown away, no one will eat them. I went into the market yesterday at New ^ ork, and on the out- side of tlie market there was bullocks' and sheep and lambs' heads laying under foot like dog's meat. They cut the tongue, and throw the rest away. And I can go into a store, and have as much brandy as I like to drink for three half-pence, and all other spirits in proportion. If a man like work he need not want victuals. It is a foolish idea that some people have, that there is too many people come here, it is quite the reverse ; there was more than lOCH) emigrants came in the day after 1 landed, and there is four ships have arrived since with emigrants. But there is plenty of room yet, and will for a thousand years to come. My dear Snkey, all that I want now is to see you, and the dear Children here, and then I shall be happy, and not l^efore. You know very well that I should not have left you behind me. if I had money to have took you with me. It was soi-e against me to do it. Hut 1 do not repent of coming, for you know that there was nothing but fjoverty before me, and to sec you and the dear children want was what T could not In'ar. I would rntlirr cross ttu' A f Inn tic ten times than hear my children cry for victuals (nice. Now. my dear, if \ou can get the Parish to pay for y<»nr passage, come tlirectly ; for c 2 I wmmmim ^T ^ M j y i.y ^v - j ^ yi MW ^ "" «^wiii 20 I have not a doubt in my mind I shall be able to keep you in credit. You will find a few inconve- niences in crossing the Atlantic, but it will not be long, and when that is over, ail is over, for I know that you will like America. America is not like England, for here no man thinks himself your sujierior. There is no improper or disgusting equality ;, for Character have its weight and influ- ence, and tlie man which is really your superior does not phune himself upon being so. An Ame- rican, however low his station, never feels himself abashed when entering the presence of the highest. This is a country where a man can stand as a man, and where he can enjoy the fruits of his own exer- tions, with rational liberty to its fullest extent. There is as much attention paid to dress as at any of the watering places in England. Out in the country where I have been, you see the young women with their veils and parasols, the lowest that I saw. Poverty is unknown here. You see no beggars. Give my kind love to Father, and tell him if he was here he could soon kill himself by drinking if he thought proper, but I hope he is more steady. Give my kind love to Mother, and tell her 1 do nut expect to see her ever any more in this worhl, but hope I shall meet her in the next, where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are for ever at rest. Give all the little ones a kii^s for me, &c." I i^.^ ji-TTiS^i ■ i .T9i if^V J 21 4 8. C. Henitage, {day-labourer, from Corsley) October 4th, 1830. " 1 have a good place of service, and have a j^ood master. I lives 7 miles from New York. He keeps a tavern and take in drivers. I have bargained with him against Christmas, at six dollars a month, and I get five dollars more, that runs to £2. 2s., and I do have my board and wash- ing and lodging in to it. I do sit down to table with my master every day, and now I can have a glass of wine or two every day, and not cost me nothing. It is a line country and a free country. For the carpenters \0s. a day here, and the wheelers get about the same. But the people tell me that they get more farther up the country. Don't you be afraid to come, for you do better with £2. here than you will with £4. in England, for things are cheaper here. And poor men get good wages, for I could have tive places if 1 was a mind, now I am got known by the people, but I have a good place and shall stay. This is the place for jjeople to come to if thoy do try, for here is plenty of work here, for peo|)lo don't buy things here and not pay for it. I hope 1 shall have a little land myself soon as >\ell as lie, and 1 hojM^ I shall pay for it. This is tin- place to live in if a man is steady. If people did but know how people do g*^t on here, you would all come to America, &c. &c." i V 3 •iJtBF*- ..,.r— --'*^- 22 I I 9. James Watts, {day-labourer, of Corsley) Lancaster, U. C. Oct. 2Sth, 1830. " We had a middling good passage, and got to Quebec the 6th day of June, tlien I set out for Upper Canada to the above place, where I have been ever since, working at making roads at 8 dollars a month, or £1. li)s. of jour money (besides board.) Will Singer and Thomas Singer are along with me upon the same wages, but W illiam Ayls- bury left this place on purpose to go home to his wife and family. Whether ' he will get home I don't know, but if he should, you will get all the news better than I can write. As far as I can learn and as far as I have seen, it is a good country, for any industrious man coming to this country ; and if he can bring some money he will g*et land upon very reasonable terms, and in the course of a few years may make a very comfort- ablei living." 10. N.B. The William Aylsbury mentioned in this letter, returned to his parish, Corsley, last winter. The overseers had refused to assist him to emigrate, and he had in consequence raised some money by sale of a few goods, and started l)y himself, leaving his wife and famil} chargeable to the parish. He arrived at Quebec on the 6th of June, he had then twenty shillings in his pocket; he took tlie steamer to Montreal, and proiceded thence on foo^ *o Cornwall, in Upper Canada, where he arrived with only a shilling. He found immediate employment, ■# 23 ?y by Ho then amer with nciit, together whh the writer of the last letter and othej-s whom he had accompanied from England, on the Government Roads. His wages were 9 dollars per month besides his bed and board. He lived on pork, beef, mutton, potatoes, green peas, bread, cheese, and butter. Haiids were in great request, winter as well as summer; the winter wages being 5 dollars with bed and board. Wheat was 4s. 6d. a bushel. Tea 3s. 6d. per pound. A church in the town where service was performed regularly. He came away on the 1st of November with nearly £7. in his pocket, with which he paid his passage home, where he arrived without having entirely emptied his pui'se. This account is taken from Aylsbury's own lips, and is worthy of atten- tion, as shewing that the savings that can be made from a labourer's wages for about four months' work in Canada, will amply pay the expences of his passage out from his parish in England. Aylsbury is anxious to take his family back with him, having returned only to fetch them, but cannot persuade his wife to overcome her fears of the vo>age. 11. From Thomas Hunt, (day'labourer, of Chaj)- tnnnslade, in the parish of Cm'dey,) dated Nelson, U. C. Nov. Uth, 1830. " We are in a good country for ])oor folks ; we have })lenty of good hie and grog. Wheat 4s. per bushel, good boiling pras 3s, Or/. Rye !}.v. Ruck wheat 2.S. ()(/. Indian Corn 2s. (kl. Oals 2.s'., c 4 1 24 f ■ Potatoes I.V. 3'/. Rum lOcl. per quart. Good Whiskey 7,^d. Brandy 9rl. per quart. Port Wine \s.Sd. Tea Ss.Gd. per pound. We make our own sugar, our own soap, caudles, and bake good light bread. Beef and mutton 2(^. per pound, &c. Fat geese 1.5. 6d. Best fowls 1.9. 3c?. per couple. W ages £3. per month and our keep. We dine with our masters. Women 2s. iyd. a day and good keej). (iood apples l. ►rothers er acre, in five tliat is »fGore, y j»ood Ontario, ill sciiti- ecate the siiii|>(>iiig IX iiulig- dvocatfis families nisery in umiiiiuiis the \n\- (ireat :j()ice' as iXood sale for all A grist mill and gram. mill within 25 chains, winch is a great advantage. A good river runs right through our lot of land, and good springs rise on it. We shall never want for water, nor timber. We have several' adjoining houses, chiefly English people. We can raise up a good house in a little while at little expence. We have thousands of tons of timber, and good stone for building. It is called the healthiest place in I'pper Canada. We have no sickness since we have been here. Stouter than we Mas in England. Sarah wishes to see all her friends here. We expect to clear 20 acres by next har- vest. We cut the trees about 3 feet above ground, and put fire to it, and burn it root and branch. We are about 700 miles from Quebec. That is but little here. Sarah Hunt and her five children is all well ; she was confined on the river St. Lawrence. She had a very good time. She and all is very stout, never wishing to return to England, but rather all friends was here, for here is plenty of work, and plenty to eat and drink. Thank God we are here. We nil ivish that our Fathers, and mothers, and bi'others, and sisters was here, for here is plenty of room far all there is in Enirland. They that thiiik to work may do well. But if our fathers and mothers was here, they should never be obliged to do a hard day's work, for we would keep them without work if they wen; not able. But if any of you should come, they nuist make uj> their minds not to be faint- ■^li , ll 26 hearted. You may expect rocking, but T don't fear the raging seas. For more may come as safe as we, for the God that rules the land rules the sea. There is some come this year turned back before they knew whether 'tis good or bad. But I thank my God that we are here. Thomas Hunt, James Hunt^ Jeremiah Hunt. 12. EsAV Prang LEY, (butcher, of Corsley) Port Talbot, U. C. Oct. lOth, 1830. " We arrived last July, and like the country well. Clements and I have bought 100 acres of ktid between us. I have about 25 acres cleared on my 50, for £70. I have paid down £12. 10s. and liave five years to pay the remainder in. I have a house and barn on the place ready to go into. I have sowed 4^ acres of wheat, &c." " Charles is doing well, he is hired by the year for £, Vi. 10s., with board and lodging. Men's wages is from 3s. to 5s. per day, take the year round, with board. Clenjents and I cut and thrashed and winnowed in 4 days, 84 bushels of Peas, and for our wages got 21 bushels, being one quarter, and boarded into it. \\ heat here sells for 3s. the bushel. We have a very healthy country, &c." 13. From George Lewis, (da^- labourer, of Cor- sley) Dundas, U.C. JulyWlk, 1830. " We are very well providetl for, with regard to a situation. We have a very good house and our fire found us, and George has wages 100 27 dollars a year, and all his keep ; which is much better than ever I should have found in England. My master is an Englishman, and a very good master, for he makes every thing to my satisfac- tion, and I am very happy to think the Lord has provided me so w^ell, and I have to inform you I never desire to come to England any more, for we found it a troublesome journey to that happy spot where we are now situated. I have to inform you that we need not go to bed a-cold nights for want of something to keep us warm, for we can get good liquors very cheap, good rum at bd. per pint, whiskey 7^d. per quart, &c." v... 14. From William Snelgrove, [day-labourer, ofCorsley) Dundas, U.C. Sept. 3d, 1830. " Dear friends, This comes with my kind love to you, hoping it will find you in good health, as it leaves us at present. Thanks be to God for it. Health is a beautiful thing ; and it depends upon God alone to give it. Was it in the hands of man, health would decline, as many other things have in England, as labour and victuallings which, if the good God give us our health, is as plentifully with us as the scarcity is with you. We have plenty of good beef, and mutton, and pork, and flour, fish, fowl, and butter ; and I'm happy to state that by one day's work, a man can supply himself with sufficient of all these necessaries "for 3 days. Vou have a good many cold bellies to go to bed withy I know, or things is greatly altered from the state I*- '«' I ,/■ ,1 ' that it ivas when I was with you. But if you were with uSy ifyou liked^for three half -pence your helly would he 80 warm that you would not know the way to bed. With regard to work, harvest work is one dollar a day and board, otlier work is three fourths of a dollar and a pint of whiskey. Wheat is from 3s. 9rf. to bs. per bushel. Butcher's meat 2d. to Sd. per lb. Cousin Henry, you may depend that all is here said is true, so that you see here is all the chance in the world for a poor man to live, &c.'* 15. From William Singer, (^bricklayer, of Cor- .s7ty) Bark Street, Southwold, U. C. I5th March, 1831. ** I have worked some at my trade. A person that can m ork well can get a dollar and a half a day, and in the harvest fields a dollar. I like this part of the coiuitry very well, and intend staying here this summer. I have been working" on a farm chopping, and other work, but have been very unfortunate, 1 have cut myself four or five times. You must not think that I dislike the country on account of my misfortunes, for if I was to cut my leg- right off, I should never think of returning to I'orsley again, for I could do much better here with one leg than in Corshy with two. We can ah^ays have plenty of work here. We board and lodge with the person we work for. If any of my old acquaintance is got tu'cd of licing slaves and drudges, te 11 them to come to I pper Canada to Wm. Singer, and he will take them by I ssscsmsataaa *'^S:r <*f ;■ .>1 29 •4;'> you were four hellif • the way 'k is one i fourths t is from it 2d. to end that ire is all e, &c." of Cor- \ Ibth person a half Hike intend orking" have our or ke the I was iiik of much I two. Ue for. Ijeing pper in by the hand; and lead tliem to hard work and gap)]L wages, and the best of living. * Any of them could do well here. Old George Silc65^ likes the country well; but if any of you was coming out he wishes you to brin^ iiim a quart of James Knight's strong beer, as we cannot get any so good here. We can get whiskey at half a dollar per gallon, as strong as the Gin you get in England. We have eight English families within aJ)out 2 miles, all from Westbury or Corsley. They are all well, and doing well, busy making sugar tiiis last week. This part of the country is very fine. The winter has been more tiian commonly severe, but I have not found it colder than in England, &c." 16. From John West^ (shoemaker, of Corsley) Germantown, near Philadelphia, U. S. May 20th, 1831. " I wish, and do often say that we wish you were all in this happy land. We have good food and raiment, and all the comforts of life, &c." '* I have not heard one person say it was bad times since I have been here. There is a Poor-house here. Twenty-five old u.en and women is the greatest number in tlie winter, the main of whom are now gone. There are none paid out of the house. There is a great many ill-conveniences, but no empty bellies. ^ Tis no good for a man to come here without he work hard. Farmer's men work from sum ise to sunset, all the year round ; they gel from 10 to 12 dollars per month and their 1 1 i It il 30 board, or tfiree foiirtlis of a liollar per day. A carpenter's and a mason's trade is a very good trade here. But they must not toss and turn a brick so many times as James Singer do. A Brick-maker is a very good trade. 1 was told that a brick-maker will earn two or three dolIai*s a day at New York and Philadelphia. A man can do better here with a family than with none. For children at 6 years old can work and get some money. A man nor woman need not stay out of employment one hour here. No war nor insur- rection here. But all i.s plenty and peace. 17. From Thomas Hunt, {the writer of No. 11.) Nelson, U. C. May ISth, 1831. " Have built us a House on our land, and are all in a good growing state. We do think to get us a plough of oxen this snnnner, and a cow or two. We have got our wheat sowed. We do think to sow about 12 or 14 acres of wheat next fall. In about two years we shall be able to work all of our time on our farm, but now buying our seed and stock, we have to work out some times. We have neither wanted for food nor fii-e, for we have wood a plent} and to spare. We have had cold, but not suffered with it so nnich as we should in Kngland. This is a country for labouring men to get their bread ; but some a«« Mill not work is poor here, and give the country a bad name. Ru» 1 never wisii to «ome to England any more. Me have meeting-houses not far off. A plenty of iiei":hbours round. &c." 31 18. From James Watts ^ {day-labourer) Lancas' ter, U. C. " As for the country, I think it a very good place for any one that wishes to have land of his own, for you can get land in different places from 6s. to 20s. per acre, and time to pay for it by paying one fifth of the purchase money, and the remainder in five yeai*s, by paying 6 per cent, interest, &c." 19. The following passages, and a list of prices and wages in Canada, are extracted from a letter of Mr. Richard Beilby, an intelligent farmer, who lateli/ emigrated to that country. It is dated York, Upper Canada, Nov. 9, 1830, and has been published hj the Canada Com- pany. " Religion in this country is entirely freed from restraint. Every man is allowed in this respect to think as he pleases, and to attend what minister and what place of worship he may choose to pre- fer. So long as he conducts himself in obedience to the laws, which are precisely the same as those of PiUgland, he is at liberty to act as his conscience may direct. •' Wherever my business has led me I havefound friends and acquaintances, and it has been a great satisfa<'tion to meet many of my old neighboui's, whom 1 had known long and intimately before ei- ther they or 1 had thought of crossing the Atlantic 32 ^^ K Ocean. Okl country people form a great propor- tion of the inhabitants, and their numbers are daily increasing'. It is Milh gratitude I inention the kin(b>es;s shewn me in every part of the country through vvliich I have travelled. I iiave been made welcome in all placts, and have never vvantetl a meal or a lodging. " It now only remains for me to speak with respect to your plan of coming out to this couiitry. I will not advise \ou directly to do so ; because Me often think so diiVerently upon a subject, that what jdeases one may perhaps displease another, and because men sometimes allow their hopes and ex- |)ectations to lie raised to such a height as cannot be reached l>y anything in nature. But I can scarcely foresee any disappointment to you : on the contrarv, I feel confident that every sober and inilustrious man, however poor he may be on arriving here, will, in the cours<' <(f a few years, tind himself in comfort and independence, if not in affluence. I have niet with ptirsons who came from England ten years ago without a shilling, and who now possess farms \\ith 70 or SO acres <'leared, eight or ten stacks of corn, bedsides well-filled barns, horses, horned <*attle, sheep, hogs, and poultry — every thing that is wanted to render them contented and happy. I have, on the con- trary, met with men, who, whatever they may have had originally are beggars now, and ever will lie beggars. I>ut llu'se are characters whose disgusting i;itcmpeiauce makes them a disgrace I ■.T'U.wp« 4 M L'L -'SJ'WJ ^■ H < fc" *« ^gii. — tfx'^ 33 to themselves as well as to their country, and who must be despised and shunned by all sober men. Many inconveniences must be suffered, many diffi- culties overcome, both in the voyage from England and in the first settlement on lands here. But these once over, an establishment once effected, and 1 have little doubt that, with prudence Jind economy, the emigrant will receive a fair return for his toil and privation. " I annex a more particular statement of the present prices of farm produce in this town, and also of the common rate of wages for journeymen of different trades. You will see by these that very great encouragement is offered to industrious men generally, and to mechanics in particular." MARKET PRICES AT CANADA. Wheat, pr bushel, 4s. Sd. to 5. ( . AndtohthttdcfallBookteUert, ' . , i n I ! ■ I » ■ ■ "^ ^cr - In One ¥«hiaie, Bvo. New Edition, Gs. Boards, ' "^ On the POOE LAWS, And their ABUS£. By G. Poulett ScROVB, Esq. F.R.S. F.G.S. &c. &c. ..,,;? nr -:—.-